Wire stretcher



G. w. MARTIN WIRE STRETCHER Filed May e, 192e Dec. 27, 1927.

3 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 27, 1927. 1,653,866

v G. W. MARTIN l WIRE STRETCHER 4 Filed May 8. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2H121! llllml ,WW1/5655 glu undo@ De.; 21, 1927. l'sisss A G. W. MARTINWIRE sTRETcHERA Filed Nay 8. 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 y' l H Stratum;

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Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES ,A 1,653,866 PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. MARTIN, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO .ALLIE IM,MARTIN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

WIRE STRETCHER.

Application ined May s, 1926. serial No. 107,747.

My invention has torits primary object to provide a simple, economicaland effective slack take-up mechanism for any type of runner, the samebeing particularly applicable for stretching runner wires ot' fence-s.

Primarily, my invention contemplates the employment of a pair ofindependent reciprocatory clutch blocks or runner gr1ppers in linkedconnection with an actuating lever, which actuating lever is adapted tobe anchored to a `:tence post or the like,.whifle the c'lutch blocks orgrippers are adapte-d to engage the free end portion of the runnerwireto be stretched. rlhus, by imparting an oscillatory movement to theactuating' lever, the clutch blocks will, through their connections,alternately engage the runner wire, whereby said runner wire isintermittently gripped and drawn through the clutch blocks to thusstretch the wire by imparting the desired :torce in a series ofimpulses.

it further object of my invention is the provision of simple andeiective means for permitting quick and e-asy adjustment of the strokeot the clutch block-carrying links by shifting the connections of saidlinks with the actuating lever, relative to the pivot or point ofoscillation of said lever.

A still further object is to provide an improved construction o clutchblock or gripn per for wire stretchers of theabove kind.

Other objects will appear as the nature of the invention is betterunderstood, andthe same consists in the novel form, combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in theaccompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a wire stretcher constructed inaccordance with the present invention and operatively engaged with arunner wire;

Figure 2 is a view partly in top plan and partly in section, yas seenwhen taken upon line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the clutchblocks or runner wire grippers associated with and released from therunner wire being stretched;

Figure 4 is a top plan View of the device shown in Figure `3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken substantially upon line 5-5 ofFigure 4;

Figure 6 is an end elevational view looking toward the lett of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a. transverse sectional view taken upon line 7 7 of Figure3;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure it with the clutch block in opencondition and one of the jaws removed; Y

Figure 9 is a transverse section taken upon line 9 9 of Figure 8; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one `of the` wire gripping jaws ofthe clutch block shown in Figure 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, 5 indicates an actuating leverhaving a transverse opening 6 intermediate its ends in which is looselyengaged a loop or pivot member 7 carried by one end of an anchor member8 whose other end is adapted to be fastened to a tencepost or the likeso that the pivot or point of oscillation of the lever 5 is suitablyiiXed. i

Associated Vwith theactuating lever isa. pair ot clutch blocks orgrippers A and B arranged in spaced tandem relation. Each clutch blockcomprises an elongated casing preferably formed in similar longitudinalhalf sections 9 and 10 preferably hinged together along one sideas at 11and detachably or separably held together along the other side bysuitable means such as a-bolt 12 pivoted to one section 9 and adapted tobe swung into position within an outwardly projecting fork or U-shapedkeeper 13 rigid with the other section 10, a wing nut 14 being threadedupon the free end portion of the bolt12 for engagement withl theunderface of the keeper 13 whereby the casing sections will be tightly drawntogether and retained in such relation upon tightening of the wing nut.For eiiecting the hinge connection between the casing sections, thelatter are preferably provided upon adjacent sides with outwardlyprojecting integral intertting knuckles as at 15, and upon loosening thenut 14, the bolt 12 maybe swung laterally out of engagement with theassociated keepers 13 whereby the sections may be swung apart to theposition indicatedin Figures 8 and 9. The casing of each clutch block orgripper is provided with an axial or longitudinal bore through which therunner wire 16 to be stretched is adapted to be threaded. Thus, thecasing sections of each clutch block are formed with mating recesseswhich cooperate to Yform the bore when the casing sections ico arebroughttogether and these recesses have their intermediate portionsenlarged to form jaw receiving sockets 17 ot relatively long rectangularform as shown. Removably titted'in each jaw "receiving socket is anelongated jaw plate 1S, so that a pair of cooperating' jaws or jawplates are provided `in thc casing of each clutch block. The jaw platein the socket 17 of the easing section 9 is loosely disposed in saidsocket so as to be freely movable toward and away from the jaw or jawplate in the socket ot the cooperating casing `section l0, and means isprovided for forcing the jaw of the section 9" toward the jaw of thesection 10 so as to cause said jaws to have gripping engagement with theadjacent portion of `therunner wire. This means-preferably embodies acani lever 19 'fulcrumed as at 20 to the casing section 9 of each clutchblock and having` an inner cam shoe `portion or end projecting inwardlythrough an` opening in said associated section 9 in position to engageor impinge against the adjacent outer tace of the adjacent movableorloose jaw or jaw plate 18.

The jaws or jaw plates 18 are capable of being reversed in their sockets17 and have longitudinal runner wire receiving grooves 21 of differentcross sectional sizes in the opposite `faces thereof whereby the clutchblock may be adapted for engagement with runner wires of variousdiameters or cross sectional sizes. Suitable manually operable means isprovided for securing the jaw plates 18 against? outward`disjzvlacernent from their sockets and temporarily' while the casingsections are being swung apart or brought together in removal of theclutch bloeksfrom or engagement ot the saine with the runner wire.

The outer ends 3j of levers 19v are connected toutheactuating lever 5respectivelyat opposite sides of the pivot orfulcrum point ofthe latterby means ot short links 22 and relatively longer links 23. eachot whichlonger links has one' end adjustably pivoted to the actuating llever 5,

whereby the pivotal connections of said longer links 23 with the lever 5may be ad justed toward and away from each other at different distancesfrom said pivot of the actuating lever 5 for varying the stroke of thelinks and consequently changing the le` verage. Thus, when the pivotalconnections of the links 23Wareadjusted toward the pivot of the level`5, the strokes of the clutch blocks'are shortened but a greaterleverage is obtainedas is desirable when the runner wire has beenpartially `stretched and is under considerable tension. Each short link22-is pivotally attached at one end to a cani lever and has its other orrear end directed inwardly toward the clutch block casingand pivotallyattached `to the adjacent end of the associated longer link 23 wherebythe the clutch block cain pivot joint between each pair of links 22 and23 naturally tends to break inwardly or toward the ruimer wire when saidlinks are pushed 'forwardly whereby a most eil'cctive position ot' theshorter linkis had for swing ing the associated cani lever 19 inreleasing the latter :l'or allowing the clutch block to slide forwardlyupon the runner while disengaged therefrom or not gripping the saine.Such release ol the clutch blocks and for' ward movement ot the saine ishad when adjusting the clutch blocks ior a new grin upon the runnerwire, the release and adjustment of one clutch block taking place whilethe engagement ot the other clutch block with the runner wire andstretching et the latter is eitectedby the other clutch block. i i

In order to positively prevent outward swinging of the associated links22 and 2d and thereby prevent outward breaking of the pivotal connectiontherebetween, the clutch block casings are provided with laterallyprojecting guide plates 2d through which the shorter links 22 slidablyproject. The inward swinging el the links 22 is limu ited by engagementot the same `with the guide plates at the inner ends oit the slotsthereof as shown in Figure 5. llacb link is connected with theassociated clutch block casing by means ot'a heli ai tension spring so`that the gripping engagement of the clutch block with the runner wire isassist ed. In other words, the springs 25 act to swing the caln levers19 in a direction causing the saine toimjiinge upon the a eiated jawplate 18 whereby the latter is forced toward the cooperating jaw plateand i into engagement with the runner wire, such action ot the springsbeing' in the nature oi' j an assistance 'for the links 22 and 23 whenthe latter are pulled for positively causing a corresponding actuationot the cani levers 19. i j

The means for permitting the convenient and quick adjustment of thepivotal connections oi' links 23 with the actuating lever 5, relative tothe pivot ot said leven preferably consists in" thelprovision ofsubstantially `spiral or hookedshaped longitudinally exe tending' slots26 inthe lever 5 at opposite sides ot and at equal llistances `from thepivot of said lever, said pivotal connections or pivot elements oi thelinke 23 being freely movable in the slots 26 so as to be positioned ateither end thereof. It is noted that the j ends of the slots 22terminatenearer the 'tori ward edge ofthe lever 5 than the intermediVate portions ot said slots so that thejnivotal i connections ot thelinke` 2i will remain either in the outer or inner ends ot the slotswhen so positioned or adjusted. However, any suitable means may beprovided for posif tively holding the pivotal connections oit the links28 in either theouter or inner ends ill) l Utl of the slots if founddesirable, the present invention being directed more particularly to themeans for permitting the quick adjustment rather than in any positivemeans for maintaining the adjustment after se cured. y

In operation, the anchor member or Wire 8 is attached to a fence post orthe like adjacent the free end of the runner wire 1G to be stretched,whereupon the casing sections of the clutch blocks are released andswung apart. The casing sections 9 arethen diss posed upon the runner`wire so that the latter engages in the proper groove 2l of the jawplate 18 thereof. The clutch block casing sections 1() are then swungtoward the runner wire andthe associated sections 9, and then the clutchblock casing sections are securely fastened together'. Upon completingthe above, the device is ready for operation, and upon oscillation ofthe actuating lever 5, the clutch blocks will `be alternately pulledrearwardly and forced forwardly, gripping engagement of the clutchblocks withthe runner wire being effected when said blocks are pulledrearwardly, and release of theclutch blocks from the runner wire-beingeffected when the same are forced i forwardly to a positionfor a newgrip upon the runner wire. In this way the wire is stretched byimparting the desired force thereto in a series of impulses. Obviously,the shifting of the pivotal connections of links 23 in the slots 26 forchanging the stroke of the clutch blocks and the leverage obtained, maybe effected without removal of the clutch blocks from the runner wire ordisengagement of the pivotal connections from the slots 26.

The jaw plates 1S are shown positioned in their sockets 1T so that theadjacent faces of said jaw plates are those whicli'have the smaller wirereceiving grooves 21 therein. Obviously, when operating upon a runnerwire of larger diameter, the jaw plates will be reversed in theirsockets so as to present the. faces of the jaw plates 18 adjacent whichhave the larger grooves 21 therein.

The means for releasably ten'iporarily holding the jaw plates 18 in thesockets 17 may consist in set vscrews 27 threaded through the sides ofthe casing sections 9 and 1() in position to impinge against theadjacent sides of the jaw plates 18 and to force the opposite sides ofsaid jaw plates into engagement with the opposite sides of the sockets17 thereof. Obviously, when the casing sections are closed and securedtogether for operation, the set screws 27 will he released so that thedesired movement of the jaw plates 18 impinged by the cam levers 19 maybe had toward the associated plates 1S.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction andoperation as well as the advantages of `the present invention will bereadily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be niade without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention as claiinec.

Wvhat I claim as new is 1. In a wire stretcher, a runner-gripperembodying a casing composed of separable longitudinal half sectionshaving mating recesses in adjacent faces thereof cooperatingr to form alongitudinal boreopening through the ends of the casing and adapted forreception of a. runner wire to be stretched, said recesses havingenlarged intermediate portions forining sockets, runner wire engagingjaw plates removably lit-ted in said sockets, and a cam lever pivotallymounted upon one casing section and arranged to impinge against theassociated jaw plate forforcing the latter toward the jaw plate oftheother casing section.

2. l'n a Wire stretcher, a runner-gripper embodying a casing composed ofseparable longitudinal half sections having mating recesses in adjacentfaces thereof cooperating to form a longitudinal bore opening throughthe ends of the casing and adapted for reception of a runner wire to bestretched, said recesses having enlarged intermediate por tions formingsockets, runner wire engaging jaw plates removably fitted in saidsockets, a cam lever pivot-ally mounted upon one casing section andarranged to impinge against the *associated jaw plate for forcing thelatter toward the jaw plate of the other casing section, and means toreleasably fix said jaw plates in said sockets.

3. In a wire stretcher, a runner-gripper embodying a casing composed ofseparable longitudinal half sections having mating recesses in adjacentfaces thereof cooperating to form a longitudinal bore opening throughthe ends of the casing and adapted for reception of a runner Wire to bestretched, said recesses having enlarged intermediate portions formingsockets, runner Wire engaging jaw plates removably fitted lin saidsockets, and a cam lever pivotally mounted upon one casing section andarranged to impinge against the associated jaw plate for forcing thelatter toward the jaw plate of the other casing section, said casingsections being hingedly connected along one side, and means forreleasably securing said casing sections together along the other sid-esthereof.

4.7111 a wire stretcher, a runner-gripper embodying a casing composed ofseparable longitudinal half sections having mating recessesinadjacentrfaces thereof cooperating to form a longitudinal bore openingthrough the ends of the casing and adapted for reception of a runnerwire to be stretched, said recesses having enlarged intermediateportions forming sockets, runner Wire engaging ISH jaw plates removablyfitted in said sockets,

and alcam lever plvotally mounted upon one casing section and arrangedto impinge against the associated `jaw plate for :torcing the lattertoward the jaw plate oi the other casing secti0n,` said casino' sectionsbeing hingedly connected along one side, and means for releasablysecuringsaid casing sections together along the other sides thereoi',said last named means comprising clamping means` for drawing thesections together'.

5. ln a wire stretc ier, a runner-gripper embodying a `casing composedot separable longitudinal halt sections having mating recesses inadjacent faces thereofcooperating to form a longitudinal bore openingthrough the ends of the casing and adapted for reception ot a runnerwire to be stretched, said recesses having enlarged intermediateportions iorming sockets, ruimer wire engaging jaw plates removablyfitted in said sockets, and a cam lever pivotally mounted yupon onecasing section and arrangedto iinpinge against the associated jaw plate'for i'orcing the latter toward the jaw plate ot the othercasingsection, said jaw plates being reversibly positionable within saidsockets and having longitudinal runner-receiving grooves of' diiierentsizes in the opposite faces thereof.

6. A wire stretcher including an oscillatory actuating lever adapted tobe anchored to have a substantially fixed ulcrum, a pair ofrunner-grippers arranged in spaced tandem relation and each having afixed jaw and a jaw movable toward the fixed jaw, a cam lever pivoted toeach runner-gripper in position to impinge against the as-:ociatedmovable jaw for forcing the same toward the associated fixed jaw, a linkpivoted to the outer end of each cam lever and having an inwardlydirected end, and a further link connecting the inturned vend ot eachfirst named link with the actuating lever and respectively at oppositesides ci' the ralorum of the latter. 1

7. A wire stretcher including an oscilla-` tory actuating lever adaptedto be anchored to have a substantially fixed tulcrum, a pair ofrunner-grippers arranged in spaced tandem relation and each having afixed jaw and a jaw movable toward the fixed jaw, a cam lever pivoted toeach runner-gripperin position'` to impinge against the associatedmovable jaw for forcing the same toward; the associated fixed jaw, alink pivoted to the outer end of each cam lever and having an inwardlydirected end, .and a further link connecting the inturned end of eachfirst named link with the actuating lever and rcspectively at oppositesides of the ulcrum of the latter, and a guide rigid with eachrunner-gripper through which the associated iirst namedlink slidablyprojects for preventing outward swinging of said iirst named link beyonda predetermined point.

8. A wire stretcher including `an oscilla-` tory actuating lever adaptedto be anchored to have a substantially fixed fulerum, a pair ofrunner-grippers arranged in spaced tan dem relation and each including ajaw actu ating cam lever, pairs of pivotally connected links operativelyconnecting the respective y cam levers with the actuating leverrespectively at opposite sides of the ulerum of said actuating lever,and a tension spring connecting a linkof each pair with the associatedrunner-gripper for assisting the links in actuating the cam levers forcausing gripping engagement ozt the runnergrippers with the runner, saidsprings acting to swing the links to which they are attached inwardlyand thereby counter-act any tend ency of outward breaking of the pivotjoints between the links of each pair.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature,4

GEORGE` W. MARTIN.

